Mothering in the Moment: Lessons on Mothering Learned from Mother Nature
by Jennifer Niedzielski
Mother Nature’s Life Lessons
As mothers, we have a profound teacher on the art of mothering available to us at all times. That teacher is Mother Nature. She has so much to teach us if we are ready and willing to listen. There is one lesson she has been waiting for me to learn for a very long time-- the Law of Least Effort. Now that I am a mother, it’s become essential that I learn it!
The Law of Least Effort is one of the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. “Do less and accomplish more,” is its mantra. Now, I've just got to say, this is so not intuitive to me. I am (err-- was) the type of person who believes that struggle, stress, and strain are essential for doing anything of importance well. Thus, I pursed mothering with the same rigor I did everything else in life; I was hard on myself, demanded perfection, worked tirelessly without breaks, and sought control of every situation.
But my theory wasn’t effective in mothering (nor in life, I’m finally able to see). The harder I pushed myself in my mothering, the harder it pushed right back. I was constantly overwhelmed and stressed. I was anxious. I fell prey to perfectionist thinking. I was angry, tired, and reactive-- all the time! That’s when I started to realize that stress, strain, and working really, really hard to be successful was actually counter-productive. Perhaps there was something to the idea of doing less to accomplish more. What did I have to lose in testing it out?
The Effortless Ease of Mother Nature
The Law of Least Effort reminds us that Mother Nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease and grace. There is no resistance. “Grass doesn’t try to grow, it just grows…Flowers don’t try to bloom, they bloom…Birds don’t try to fly, they fly” (Chopra). In essence, the Law of Least Effort is all about just “being.” It’s all about letting go, accepting the present moment, and not thinking so darn much.
To really grasp this concept of doing less, consider how a flower grows. It doesn’t stress or strain in order to “accomplish” its true nature and beauty. It simply does exactly what it is destined to do without expending any more effort or energy than absolutely necessary. It doesn’t think, “I wonder if I’m doing this right. Am I growing fast enough? Am I as pretty as the other flowers around me? Perhaps I should try to be tulip and not a rose. I really got to get going here. I better hurry up!”
Silly example, I know. But when I consider how everything in nature displays this effortless ease and grace (sans thought), I begin to realize just how much our thinking is our primary problem. As I see it, struggle, strife, and stress all come into play as a result of our “extra” thoughts about the thing we are doing, not the doing of the thing itself. Yes, we are intelligent human beings blessed with the ability to think, but we are also infinitely intelligent human beings blessed with the ability to control our thinking so to access the sacred space of non-thinking whenever we wish.
Mindful Mothering
The principle of the Law of Least Effort and doing less to accomplish more might not initially seem realistic in mothering. More times than not, we feel we have to expend as much effort as possible to accomplish the countless things that must be done every single day. There is no denying that mothering is, at times, chaotic, challenging, and all-consuming.
But what would happen if we thought “less” in these moments? What would happen if we didn’t mentally judge these moments as stressful, bad, boring, or unacceptable? What would happen if we intentionally breathed in and out in the situations that stressed us out and focused our attention on our breath and not on our negative thoughts?
I know what happens. I’ve experienced it. I mother from a sacred place. Every time I surrender to all the mothering moments in my life by releasing my judgment of them (e.g., doing less thinking), I accomplish peace of mind. When I accomplish peace of mind, I tap into my infinite font of pure love. When I mother from this place, I respond to my children and all my mothering moments with effortless grace and ease-- just like Mother Nature intended.
Jennifer Niedzielski is a teacher, writer, mother of three young daughters, and the co-founder of Mindful Moms Network™. After teaching in the traditional classroom setting for over 12 years, she is transcending classroom walls to inspire and teach women how to reclaim their calm and take exquisite care of their mind, body, and inner-selves amidst the chaos of mothering. Through Mindful Moms, it is her intention to create a nurturing and supportive community for moms that encourages Inward Development through the Art of Mothering.
Did you know this is a song is debatably about polio?
Little Miss Muffett is a nursery rhyme about a little girl who is frightened by a spider.
Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater had a wife and couldn’t keep her so put her in a pumpkin shell and there he kept her very well.
Humpty Dumpty was unfixable.
Duck, duck, GOOSE! I love duck and geese, really I do, but I would rather be called a unicorn, bunny, kitty, doggy or something fuzzy, friendly and fun.
These are the nursery rhymes I grew up learning. Do they feel sad and depressing to you? Do they make you think happy thoughts? No? Me either. I was taught these in school and we sang them daily. Did they contribute to me obtaining and believing in limiting and negative thoughts? I believe it’s very possible. I believe that all of the little things that fed my imagination also created my inner and outer reality.
Yes, they are just a nursery rhyme. But are they really just that? They are words and thoughts that occupy our time and if we can encourage children to look for the love even in a nursery rhyme than we’ve set a stepping stone for them to choose love in the bigger picture.
When choosing books, songs, rhymes, stories and such to share with your children be aware of what it is going to encourage your child to think. If "Ring Around the Rosie," isn’t about polio than what is it about? Do I feel like it encourages my child to think happy thoughts? Well it doesn’t hurt because they don’t know. They are perfectly content running in a circle screaming at the top of their lungs no matter the verbiage. However, I personally feel that whether there is truth to this urban legend or not I would rather the children sing something else. I would rather them sing something to uplift their mood and that will encourage them to think more lovingly and positively even if it is subconsciously through a rhyme or song. We can choose love as our language in the smallest of ways.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
The warm weather has hit the Midwest early this year. My children are already helping me enjoy the outdoors for the majority of our days. We seem to be go, go, go at full speed ahead. They are so excited to enjoy the suns warmth on their skin and feel the cool earth beneath their feet that they are ignoring lunch time, relaxation, and simply getting swept up in the sunshine. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to slow down and observe in gratitude at our surroundings. Here’s just a little ditty to share with your littles as you try to enhance the potential of their day with a bit of relaxation and a few deep breaths.
Busy Little Bees
Busy buzzing bees Stop and tell me what you feel and see. Is there a breeze? Do you notice the love in the trees? Take it all in with ease, if you please.
Laughing, singing, jumping, running, skipping and dancing All of this is fine, fun, fabulous and fancy. Remember to slow down you busy little buzzing bee. Long enough to enjoy the refreshing breeze and the glorious trees! Wiggle your toes and feel the green grass tickling you beneath your feet. It will lead you to feel perfect and free. It will lead you to love the air you breathe. So tell me you beautiful little buzzing bee, what is it that you feel and see?
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
Femininity & Mothering There are moments in life when I feel complete and at peace…like I am doing exactly what I was meant to do at that very moment in time. I had one of these moments yesterday. It occurred while I was rocking my sick daughter to sleep. Cradling her in my arms, softly stroking her curly brown hair, feeling the heat of the fever emanating from her forehead, I just breathed. I kissed her head. I held her tight. I hummed her favorite lullaby. At this moment in time, I was the very best version of my sacred self. I was love. I was kindness. I was gentleness. I was tenderness. I was embracing and emanating my femininity through motherhood.
I believe femininity and mothering go hand in hand. Intuition, gentleness, compassion, love, tenderness, generosity, and wisdom-- words I use to define femininity, I also use to define mothering.
As I rocked my 4 year old daughter, I wasn’t saying a word-- but I was saying so much. Through the silence, I knew she heard:
~I love you beyond words.
~I’ll always protect and take care of you.
~You can trust me.
~You’re my greatest miracle.
~You deserve love.
~You’re safe. Everything will be okay.
In this moment, I was a center of love and kindness. My natural essence as a woman and a mother was being honored as I radiated love directly to my child.
Because We are Women, We Are Mothers I don’t believe that you have to birth a biological child be a “mother.” As I mentioned before, all the characteristics that define femininity, define mothering. Because we are women who are divinely feminine, we instinctively mother our friends, our parents, our pets, our partners, our biological children, our adopted or step children, our natural world, and most importantly-- ourselves.When you embody feminine characteristics that are your birthright like gentleness, compassion, love, tenderness, generosity, and wisdom towards the ones you love, you silently whisper to them: “I love you beyond words. I’ll always protect and take care of you. You can trust me. I believe you are nature’s greatest miracle. You deserve love. You’re safe. Everything will be okay.”
However, as women, we tend to project loving kindness to those we love while forgetting how important (ahem-- critical) it is for us to “allow [ourselves] to bathe in the warmth and acceptance of loving kindness as if [we] were a child held in a loving mother’s or father’s arms.”(Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go There You Are). We forget how important it is to mother ourselves so that we can better mother those in our lives that we love the most.
Mothering {Yourself} As a mother and a woman, it is imperative that I practice loving kindness toward myself. “When I can love myself, with all of my imperfections, I can love my child, friends, acquaintance, and all beings” (Jacqueline Kramer, Buddha Mom). Understanding this basic truth, I hold tremendous power. See, I am a mother of three impressionable young girls who are watching my every move. They are learning how to treat themselves as women by witnessing how I treat myself. Even more importantly, having felt the power of extending this loving kindness to myself, I am acutely aware that if I don’t do this for myself, I’d be less able to sit quietly, without my mind racing, to comfort my sick daughter. I am certain that the amount of love she felt radiate to her in that moment was in direct proportion to the amount of love I continually radiate to myself.
I know--easier said than done. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt to try and make this type of meditation part of our daily habits. For it first to become a habit, we have to feel its power. We have to experience how it feels to say to ourselves and truly believe: “I love you beyond words. I’ll always protect and take care of you. You can trust me. I believe you are nature’s greatest miracle. You deserve love. You’re safe. Everything will be okay.” As women, one of the best ways to embrace our divine femininity is to continually direct kindness, love, compassion, gentleness, and generosity towards ourselves while we “mother” those we love.
Jennifer Niedzielski is a teacher, writer, mother of three young daughters, and the co-founder of Mindful Moms Network™. After teaching in the traditional classroom setting for over 12 years, she is transcending classroom walls to inspire and teach women how to reclaim their calm and take exquisite care of their mind, body, and inner-selves amidst the chaos of mothering. Through Mindful Moms, it is her intention to create a nurturing and supportive community for moms that encourages Inward Development through the Art of Mothering.
How do you explain to your children about their soul, God, and why we are here? I’m experimenting each new day. Mainly with an open mind, lots of helpful articles, books, tips, my heart and definitely a dose of silly and fun. I want us to take life seriously and our contribution seriously, but it MUST be a fun and loving experience.
Spirituality is fun. Loving God is fun. Loving the God IN you is fun. Doing things like praying, giving, sharing, and growing our little spirits each day with knowledge and laughter is fun. That’s the point of these articles.
I labeled God as boring in my past. I labeled God as someone outside of me in my past. The more I accept myself as a part of God and a source to live through him the more patience, love and acceptance I have for myself and all. I want the same for my children. I want them to understand their power and step into it now. Not when they are grown up! Now!
My beaming little sparks of light shine so brilliantly now with their pure hearts, loving intentions, and sweet perceptions. Let’s help encourage them to keep this spark of divine energy that God gifted us burning brightly each and every day. Let’s teach them to bring in the sacred and spread the sunshine. Blessings.
The Sun in My Tum Tum
There is a brilliant and golden sun residing in your tum tum. It's a beautiful, bright and luminous light shining deep inside. You may not see it, but I know you will feel it.
Without you knowing it's there sparkling, shimmering and glowing. It's the fuzzy feeling or sensation you get when you share the love of your spirit. It's that warmth in your heart that expands when you lend a helping hand. It sparks a twinkle in your eyes when you smile big and bright.
You may brighten your light by choosing to do what feels right. Your glow within will expand out by loving who you are without fear or doubt.
You may know others who wish for your light to be dimmed. They may say and do things that will cause you to hurt within. When this happens know that what they speak of is surely not so. Take a deep breath and illuminate the glow in your soul. Know that you are safe, perfect and whole.
You’re doing it right if you feel the love inside you and then share it times two. Every kind word and generous act will lovingly impact all and that’s a fact. Act and live in everyday by using your guiding star. Spread your sunshine, shine your light, and be the luminous light that you are.
Why feel "ho hum" when you’re capable of shining as bright as the sun? Breathe in love and radiate peace. Try it! It’s helpful and fun!
We need your brilliant light to illuminate day and night. Pay attention to your glow and be sure to keep it warm and bright. Be sure to notice what makes your light sparkle and grow. Then do more of it to increase the warmth and enhance the glow. By doing so you will encourage others around you to take note and follow. You have the world to change so give it a go.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies." You can find Danielle on Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Blossoming-Buddha-Baby/246912155353686
I use to use timeouts in the exact opposite way that I have described here. If my children did something "bad" to warrant a time out I sent them away to "think" about it. I had an aha moment after reading an article that opened my eyes as to how I should handle those moments of anger and frustration from my children. We still witness shouting and pouting during timeouts from time to time, but having been approaching it from this angle for awhile now I must say it is MUCH more helpful and produces better behavior for the moments following.
I do not want my children associating quiet time with "bad"time or timeouts with being a "bad" kid. I want them to understand that they are normal and justified in their feelings but that using a timeout wisely can help us learn how to be better next time in the way we handle our feelings. Usually my daughter asks me to sit with her and talk her through a meditation or prayer so by the end of the timeout we BOTH feel better :)
Thankful for Timeouts
A time out is a moment to unwind and calm your mind. When emotions get crazy and your mind gets lazy it's time to sit and breathe gently, deeply and gracefully.
It's not that you’re in trouble or that you're bad. It's that you need a tad bit of your time to release the mental clutter and grime.
We all have moments when we feel angry and sad. We must breathe through them on our way back to being glad. Sit quietly, hum happily, read a book that makes you smile, or pray to your God when your emotions and thoughts get a little wild.
Patience, peace and being present can be easy when you practice. Feeling overwhelmed, angry, and frustrated is normal for us only when we forget to stop and breathe deep loving breaths before we begin to make a fuss.
Find a warm and loving space where you feel safe. Let your breath show you the way to a place of patience and grace. When you're done you'll be ready to act and speak in your natural kind, calm and caring ways. When you’re done you can continue living out your moments and day with a carefree sway.
Calmly breathing can be your magic potion when you need to overcome these unloving emotions. You may be young in age and small in size, but your words and actions can still hurt, help or heal, that is for you to decide. If you say or do something that may lead to a timeout. Try not to choose to pout and shout.
Close your eyes and remember fun times, pray for the angels to surround you with calm light, breathe in deep and let your healthy belly fill up with delight.
When timeout is over you’ll be ready to play, sing, learn and dance while using loving words and gentle hands. So you see timeouts are your chance to enhance feelings of love and happiness. Using them in this way will help you live out your days at your very best.
Year after year our family grows. We have 4, 5, and even 6 separate "christmas parties" to attend each December. It is rather easy to get overwhelmed and rushed. Gifts being thrown at the children after they've eaten pumpkin pie and cookies does not always seem to be the most loving combination (all though it sounds like it would be). Especially when you do this 4, 5 or even 6 times!
This year I am really trying to help my daughter understand how truly blessed we are so that she may truly and genuinely thankful and appreciative throughout this crazy busy time. I want us to remember each other and the love we shared. I want us to remember hearing grandmas and grandpas telling us stories or sharing their old recipes with us. I want us to remember the little cousins dancing to Christmas music together and smiling from ear to ear. I want my nieces and nephews to remember how safe and loved they felt in the arms of me and my family. It's not about the toys and the overindulgence that has become Christmas. It's about breathing in the simple goodness that is family. It's about family and friends knowing and feeling how special and important they are to us because we took the time and found the energy and words to make sure they were aware of their roles in our lives.
May your holidays be filled with an abundance of beautiful and loving blessings.
Holiday Delight
Parties, presents, desserts and pies oh my!
These are some of the joys during our holiday times.
You’ll see friendly faces, worship, praise, and say grace.
You’ll fill your little belly with lots of love and flavor.
Made by those who enjoy and savor
Your presence and smile.
All you have to do my sweet child,
Is open your heart to receive and give out love wherever you go.
Those you love will spend money, love and time
Creating days and moments for you to feel much delight.
We are blessed with family, food and friends.
We are gifted these moments to enjoy and extend
Our hearts, our hands, our smiles and our gifts.
Use your smile and laughter to uplift and shift
The holiday grinches you meet and help them to see
How blessed we are and how thankful we can be.
It’s up to us to spread the love.
It’s up to us to share our hugs.
We are blessed. We are so fortunate.
Let us share what we have in every moment.
It’s the holidays. It’s time to pray.
It’s time to give thanks and appreciate.
The things we will receive are special and great.
The family, friends, and love are even better.
Rejoice, enjoy, uplift, give, share, care, bless, pray and play
All through these spectacular and love filled holidays.
If you're able to do so you may have just found your way
to create more happy and healthy moments during these cold and snowy days.
Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray to the Lord my soul to keep. If I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless everyone. Amen.
This was the prayer I grew up saying every night before bed. Can I just say that rather than comforting me it scared the crap out of me? I would lay there and think, "What is a soul and why do I have to ask to keep it?" and "Could I die in my sleep?" Is it any wonder that I had countless nights where I was completely terrified to go to sleep for fear of not waking up. I was afraid of the Lord because I had to ask him to keep my soul. Why would he take it from me? I didn't put two and two together until I was a young adult that this prayer not only instilled fear in me but it left me tired and grumpy morning after morning because I would stay awake until my eyes could not stay open any longer. I was terrified of dying in my sleep or of someone stealing my soul. As I got older I revised it to....
Now I lay me down to sleep. I ask the Lord to lay with me. May the angels protect me all through the night And wake me with the morning light.
It felt better but since I have used this prayer with my daughter, I still feel like I can do better. I have tried a few different prayers and so far we like this one the best. People and kids especially take things and life so literal. Be mindful of the ways you choose to describe people, places, things, loved ones, life, etc. Make sure your words leave you and your child feeling comforted, confident and loved. Ask your child how things and words make them feel. What works for one might scare, intimidate, discourage, or sadden another. Night time can be a scary thing for children. I hated the night and would pray after my mom tucked me in for it to be morning and sunny forever. Find ways and words to comfort them so they relax peacefully into their beautiful, sweet dreams.
As I lay my head on my pillow tonight, tucked in snuggly and tight, I thank the good Lord for the day and the night.
I pray for all the hungry children in the world. May health and nourishment be the norm for every boy and girl.
May my dreams be beautiful and sweet. May I awake feeling renewed and complete.
God bless everyone. May tomorrow bring lots of love, hugs and fun.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
This piece is based on conversations I have been having with my daughter lately. She is learning the whys of being kind and respectful. It is important for her to understand the why's on every subject. I know this because that's her immediate response to my asking of any task, "Why mommy?" I hope to teach her the importance of kindness through the why's in the most positive and loving way I know how.
Mind your manners, what does that mean? It means choosing to speak and act politely. Speak and act politely, what does that mean? It means choosing ways to speak and live happily. Live and speak happily, I know what that means. It means to smile, laugh and love my life and all beings.
Saying may I, thank you, you’re welcome and please can help us live happily? Yes ma'am it can, I'll tell you why. It’s a sign that you love and appreciate the help and the gift of their time. It's you showing respect for every act and person that is caring and kind. When you say please, thank you, yes ma'am, and may I it is one way for you to say, I love having your help and love in my life.
Don't be shy or timid when you speak your wee whispers of wisdom. Look people in the eyes. Tell them you’re thankful for their gifts and their time. Speak clearly, kindly and mindfully. Simply showing your appreciation helps lead others to feel a loving sensation.
What is mindfully mommy? It is when you know the helpful and loving thing to do. It is when you pay attention and notice the chances to do so. Then you do so because you know so and you know love grows from the smallest of seeds wherever it is sewed.
Manners are ways to make love grow? Yes ma'am. Now you know. Your whispers, words, and caring ways will allow others to help you while knowing you have an attitude of gratitude for the multitude of things they do. May I, please, have a nice day, yes sir, and thank you are loving words for you to choose. Using them is just one more way to help make this world a loving and kind place.
My grandma meant the world to me. She had unconditional love for our family, the world and especially her grand babies. Her home and her arms were my safe place. She was my protector and my saving grace. She showered me with kisses and hugs. She was the definition of unconditional love.
One day I learned my precious grandma was sick. They said her time was limited and the clock began to tick. We watched her fight and lose her hair. She would sit in pain with a worried stare, but she never complained about her condition. She made sure to continue showing us her affection. I had my hopes and wishes that she would begin to feel well, but when I looked in her eyes I knew she was leaving, I could just tell. My fear of losing my grandma became overwhelming. Why would God do this? Can someone please tell me?
Too fast the day came when I had to say good bye! I held her hand, kissed her forehead and tried not to cry. What will I do without this loving woman in my life? She was the glue that held our family together. She was the one that made our holidays into moments to treasure. She was stern and respected but she never rejected those whom needed to be loved, helped, or even a home. Her small sacrifices gave others hope.
She flew away to heaven’s gate. I knew this had to be a terrible mistake. Her words, her touch, her love was no more. She was someone that not just I but all adored. I needed to know where she went. I needed my heart to mend. Where is she now? Where is her time spent? Will I ever see her again?
I cried many tears for my precious grandma whom bathed me in love for all those years. There were so many unknowns. I missed her arms which I called my home. Someone please tell me where my grandma has gone. Someone please show me how to move on.
My grandma taught me the power of faith before she left on that October day so I knew that being upset with God was not the way, but I still had anger and misplaced hate because my fear of the unknown was so great.
I chose to have a sit and let her gift her simple truths of how to live and how to give to our world since I was a young girl. I had forgotten for awhile and lived in denial. I had anger and pain and felt betrayed. I forgot that God was great and chose words of hate. I pointed my finger at our Lord and shook my head. I feared my grandma was dead.
I am remembering slowly that this is not the case. Just because I cannot see her precious face does not mean she is not still my protector and saving grace. It just means that her new place is in my heart, in my words and in my ways. It means that choosing to live through the faith that she instilled and that I feel is what will keep her alive and well. I stopped believing that she had died so that I could begin to put her love for us and life in that sparkle in my eyes.
My grandma Alice had gone to her heavenly palace. It's where she has chosen to rest. She chose it through her words and her actions. She lived life as a determined woman who loved with great passion. She nurtured and cared for all whom she passed because it was what God would have asked. Her heart was big her days were long. In my eyes she did no one wrong. To her, family was not just your relatives. She loved and helped every man, woman and kid. She worked hard and it was not because she was paid, but because it was the path of practicing good faith.
This was the grandma I knew, loved and cherished. She has not perished. Her spirit has left her body to be free and live in peace. I know this because that's what she believed and taught me. It has just taken some time for me to remember that we are all free and spiritual beings only borrowing these bodies. I can choose to use time wisely because my moments here are timely.
I see her in all those around me because I believe we are all capable of living as beautifully and simply as my beloved Grandma Alice. I take comfort in knowing that she is living peacefully in her palace. I treasure that she left me with these feelings of love and acceptance. I’ll remember her small acts of kindness. I’ll use her love that I still feel to pull me out of my darkness. I'll let trust, faith, hard work, love, hugs, and my ability to listen help my soul glisten on earth as it will in heaven until we meet again.
Each person we lose will lead us to realize and choose new and loving avenues if we decide to. Remember the good in those still here and in those that have passed. No reason to clash, no reason to wish ill, love only if you will. We all want to be remembered for the beauty we hold. Choose ways to help your life unfold like a beautiful red rose. Speak words to and about those in our life that are loving, gentle and kind. Choose words and actions that will allow others to bask in the God essence that is you. Your love is a virtue. Your unconditional love can be our gift to this life and those in it. Every meeting and minute is a treasure, no matter the weather.
Every soul in our life has something valuable to teach us. Life gets so busy it's hard to keep up. Grab those who were given to you as a gift. Hug them, hold them, have a sit and learn their spirit. Show them they're worth it. Give them all your love, no more ill words to be spoken. If that becomes your choice it is that which you will invoke in them. We are not perfect, we can choose not to judge. We can choose to send out love and give out hugs. We can choose to see what the power of unconditional love does.
Truth, love, wisdom, strength and courage lies within each of us. Choose to see those amazing traits in yourself and those you love. Learn to speak and see with your heart for those close and afar. Give to and help others with no hidden agendas or motives. I promise you new doors will open. I promise you your love is needed. I promise you those around you can feel it. I know this because my grandma lived this.
Money, power, fame and our things will not go with us through that heavenly gate. We will take with us the beautiful memories we chose to create. Do not speak in haste or waste one more breath or thought using hate. It's time for us to use our love and use our kindness; it's the righteous way to heaven’s gate. Love is your destination and your fate. I know this because that is what I learned from my grandma, whose love was so great.
Choose to mend hearts rather than live in sin. Make every person your friend. Don't be afraid to bend over backwards for a friend, family member or foe. It is your path towards that warm glow in your soul. My grandma showed me so.
My sweet Grandma Alice was not rich or famous. She did not climb mountains or travel the globe. She did not have expensive cars or an extravagant home. The little she did have she shared. Her simple, sweet soul is rare. I can tell you that my life would not be so blessed and beautiful had I not known her loving soul. Without her these words would have not been wrote. Without her I would not have realized life’s importance and the importance of simple goals. Those whose lives she helped mold would surely tell you that what I say here is but a mere fraction of how her actions gave them immense hope and satisfaction.
While my grandma was here she impacted my life with her unconditional love and an abundance of hugs. I will always remember that feeling she gave me and I will strive to pass it on to every person, place, rock, tree and yes even the bugs. It is the gift she gave me and it is the gift that has always led me to feel loved and free. It is the gift I am meant to share because I genuinely care about our world and every being.
Through my pain and through my tears I have learned there is truly nothing to fear. Know that you are meant to be a source of love and peace for the entire world to feel and see. This and more is what my grandma showed and taught me.
She gave me a sense of peace, she gave me courage to seek and she loved me unconditionally. These are the gifts that have enabled me to spread my wings, not things. These are the feelings we are meant to give freely. These are the memories we are suppose to create willingly. These are the moments we are suppose to remember and spread lovingly.
I’ve chosen the keepsakes of her soul for my keeping. I will look in not up when I am weeping. It is within me that I allow sparkles of her soul to reside. Yes, always by my side and yes always in my eyes. I can do so because my grandma extended her soul and showed her love for those in her life. I can do so because I choose to remember those loving times. I can do so because she chose to live, give and breathe as kindly as Christ.
My Grandma Alice has gone to her palace it is where she has chosen to rest. She has showed me how to live my life at my very best. The rest I must do on my own. I can do so because I was shown before she went to her heavenly home.
Danielle Rutledge: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically.
Beginning June 1, join us for "Writing for the Health of It," our new online course. 5 minutes a day, for 30 days, to write yourself into a happier, healthier you!
Receive a daily dose of compassion, mindfulness, and loving-kindness sent directly to your Inbox or by Twitter. Subscribe today!
Join us for an upcoming online course, retreat, or special event that will help you live with inner calm, clarity and wisdom.
RSS Feed
